Uphill Beach sits at the southern end of Weston Bay, where the sand meets the mouth of the River Axe and an old church watches from the hill above. It is quieter than the town beach, dog friendly, and backed by a nature reserve, a marina and a village with a couple of good places to eat. It is fifteen minutes from our cottages and one of our favourite half days. Here are eight reasons to go.
In this guide
1. The beach itself
Uphill Beach is the natural continuation of Weston’s two miles of sand, but with dunes behind instead of a promenade and far fewer people. At low tide the sand stretches out towards Brean Down across the river, and there is space for kites, dogs and long walks. The tide comes in fast here, so stay within the marked areas and keep an eye on the water.
2. The church on the hill
The roofless Old Church of St Nicholas stands on the hill above the beach and is the landmark of this end of the bay. It dates from Norman times and the climb to it is short and steep, with views across the Axe estuary to Brean Down and back over the whole of Weston. It is one of the best viewpoints on the coast.
3. Uphill Nature Reserve
The hill and the old quarry behind the beach form a local nature reserve, with limestone grassland full of wildflowers and butterflies in summer and birds on the estuary all year. Paths loop around the hill and down to the beach, so it is easy to make a circular walk.
4. Dogs are welcome
Unlike the central section of Weston beach in summer, Uphill Beach is dog friendly. Combined with the nature reserve paths and the estuary walks, it makes a brilliant dog day out. Bring water and a towel, because the sand is fine and gets everywhere. Our dog beaches guide has the rest of the coast.
5. The marina and boatyard
Uphill has a small tidal marina on the River Axe, with boats sitting on the mud at low water and afloat at high. It is an unexpectedly pretty spot, and the café by the boatyard is a favourite turning point for anyone walking the promenade from town. Watching the boats come and go with the tide is a fine way to spend an hour.
6. The walk from Weston
The flat promenade runs all the way from the Grand Pier to Uphill, about two miles, so the beach makes a perfect destination for a seafront walk. Have lunch at the marina, climb to the church, then catch the bus back or walk the return along the sand at low tide. Our Weston beach guide covers the whole bay.
7. Brean Down across the water
The headland of Brean Down looks close enough to touch from Uphill, but the River Axe is in the way and there is no crossing on foot. It is a twenty-five-minute drive round by road, and worth it. Our Brean Down walk guide explains the route.
8. Uphill village
Behind the beach, Uphill is a proper village with a pub, a shop and the newer church of St Nicholas in the centre. It is a pleasant place to wander after the beach, and quieter than the seafront cafés in town.
Uphill Beach through the seasons
Spring brings wildflowers to the limestone hill and waders to the estuary. Summer is warm, quiet and good for long low-tide walks, with the lifeguarded town beach a mile north if you want to swim. Autumn has the best light, with the sun setting behind Brean Down across the river. Winter on Uphill Beach is wild, empty and wonderful for a bracing walk followed by the marina café. The old church on the hill is worth the climb in any month.
The history of Uphill
Uphill has been a landing place since Roman times, when boats came up the Axe to the foot of the hill. The old church of St Nicholas was built in the twelfth century on a site that was probably sacred long before, and it served the village until the new church was built in the centre in the nineteenth century. The hill was quarried for limestone and the estuary was a busy little port. Today the roofless church is the landmark for the whole southern end of Weston Bay, and the lime kilns and quarry face behind the beach are part of the nature reserve.
Walks from Uphill Beach
- Up to the old church and around the nature reserve: about a mile, with steps.
- Along the promenade to the Grand Pier and back: four miles, flat and paved.
- Around the Axe estuary paths to the marina and the boatyard: a mile of easy walking.
- The start of the West Mendip Way, a thirty-mile route across the hills to Wells, begins at Uphill.
- Along the sand at low tide towards the town beach, keeping within the marked areas.
Uphill Beach for families
The beach is quieter and wilder than the town sands, with dunes to explore and pools left by the tide. The estuary and the boats give children something to watch, and the climb to the church is short enough for small legs with a big reward at the top. Bring a picnic, because the café is the only place to eat by the beach itself, though the village has a pub and a shop. Sand is fine and soft, so a windbreak is useful on breezy days.
Uphill Beach for nature lovers
Uphill Nature Reserve covers the hill, the old quarry and the dunes, and it is one of the richest sites for wildflowers on this coast, with orchids in early summer and butterflies on the limestone grassland. The Axe estuary is a feeding ground for wading birds, and shelduck, curlew and oystercatchers are regulars. The best birdwatching is at low tide from the paths by the marina. Peregrines and ravens are sometimes seen over the quarry face.
Combining Uphill Beach with the rest of the coast
Uphill sits at the southern end of Weston Bay, so it pairs naturally with the town beach and the pier for a full seaside day, or with Brean Down across the river for a headland double. From the farm at Kewstoke it is fifteen minutes by car or a long, flat walk along the whole bay. Our dog beaches guide and days out guide have more for the area.
Practical details
- Parking is at the beach end of Uphill Way, near the marina, with more spaces in the village.
- Buses run between Weston seafront and Uphill.
- The beach is unsupervised, and the estuary currents are strong, so do not swim near the river mouth.
- Tide times and beach safety notices are published by North Somerset Council.
- The old church is free to visit and open to the sky, so pick a dry day.
Uphill Beach: quick answers
Is Uphill Beach dog friendly?
Yes, all year, unlike the central section of Weston beach in summer.
Can you swim at Uphill Beach?
Not near the river mouth, where the currents are strong, and never at low tide. Use the lifeguarded town beach or the Marine Lake for swimming.
Is the old church open?
The roofless church of St Nicholas is open to the sky and free to visit at any time. The climb from the beach takes about ten minutes.
Where do you park?
At the beach end of Uphill Way by the marina, with more spaces in the village. Buses run from Weston seafront.
Stay nearby
Our seaside apartments in Weston are a short drive from Uphill Beach with parking included, and the cottages at the farm in Kewstoke have their own quiet beach at Sand Bay. Browse all our properties, or see our best walks guide for more coastal routes. Visit Weston-super-Mare has up-to-date beach information.